Bellmore-Merrick libraries gear up for the Great Give Back

It’s another year of the Great Give Back, and the Bellmore and Merrick libraries are hosting  public-service projects this month, giving patrons opportunities to do good deeds for their community.   

The Great Give Back, a community service initiative created by the Suffolk County Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Cooperative Library system, in conjunction with the Nassau Library System, is back this year, on Oct. 21. Since the initiative’s founding in 2017, it has expanded greatly. Every county in New York participates, and the libraries’ projects and goals vary from year to year.

Local libraries are preparing for their day of service, and there are a number of events, drives and collections planned throughout October.

With active and community-oriented libraries in Bellmore and Merrick, patrons have a variety of ways to get involved.

Bellmore

This year, both the Bellmore Memorial Library and the North Bellmore Public Library have events slated for Oct. 21.

In North Bellmore, the library will continue focusing on sustainability during the Great Give Back. Renovated in 2019 with energy-efficient features and environment sustainability in mind, it is only fitting that it will host a cleanup at Forest City Park later this month.

The park is at 3099 Morgan Drive in Wantagh, on the border of North Bellmore, and is maintained by the Town of Hempstead.

“The North Bellmore Public Library is currently enrolled in the Sustainable Library Certification Program to enable our library, and ultimately our community, to become more environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically feasible,” library Director Jessica Tymecki said. “Our sustainability team is looking forward to getting our community involved in our environmental efforts — starting with our Great Give Back park cleanup.”’

The cleanup will begin at 10 a.m. and last about two hours, with all supplies needed to remove debris provided, along with refreshments. Teens can earn community service hours by taking part, and it will be a family-friendly event for all ages. Advanced registration is not required.

Tymecki said that the North Bellmore community has always shown compassion and generosity through donations and volunteer efforts throughout the year.

“The Great Give Back is an excellent opportunity to highlight the positive impact the library and our patrons can have on the community,” she said.

The North Bellmore library will also be collecting food for the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard throughout the month. To learn more, go to NorthBellmoreLibrary.org.

The staff of the Bellmore Memorial Library said it has taken part in the Great Give Back since 2018, and this year it is partnering with the Wantagh-based Last Hope Animal Rescue for a month-long effort to help animals.

“It will be an exciting day for a good cause,” adult program coordinator Christopher Ham said. “Our library is always looking to connect with local organizations, and we have worked with Last Hope Animal Rescue on previous events with great success. We came together again to offer the community an opportunity to help local animals in need.”

The library will collect food and supply donations, a list of which can be found at LastHopeAnimalRescue.org/wish-list.

On Oct. 21, there will be a variety of ways for those of all ages to contribute. For children ages 4 to 12, there will be a “Read to A Dog” event. The participants can practice their reading skills by sharing an age-appropriate book of their choice with a trained therapy dog and an adult volunteer from Therapy Dogs of Long Island. Registration for the event began on Oct. 1 for library cardholders, and will open for non-residents on Oct. 20. It will take place from 10 to 11 a.m.

From 11 to noon, teens in grades seven to 12 can help Last Hope by making no-sew blankets and collar tags for shelter pets. No sewing skills are necessary and all projects will be donated directly to the shelter. This event can earn participating teens community service hours.

Finally, at 11:15 a.m., Diana Frohman and her quartet of dancing golden retrievers will give a Dog Trick Benefit Show. The dogs perform tricks, dance and entertain the whole family. Afterward, there will be a 30-minute meet-and-greet with the four-legged stars.

Ham said that those who are planning to take part in the events are encouraged to donate to the food-and-supply drive as well. All events will all take place at the library, at 2288 Bedford Ave. in Bellmore. Go to BellmoreLibrary.org, or call (516) 785-2990, for more information.

Merrick

The Merrick Library has chosen two nonprofits to benefit this year for the Great Give Back — the Crayon Initiative and We Care Blankets.

“We’re putting the focus on kids for the Great Give Back this year,” Christina Bonifiglio-Scali, a community relations librarian, said. “These organizations we’ve chosen are all about brightening the lives of kids going through tough times in hospitals.”

We Care Blankets accepts donated yarn and creates handmade blankets for kids who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The goal is to offer them warmth and comfort during their hospital stays.

The Crayon Initiative melts old or broken crayons and turns them into new ones, giving young artists a creative escape. The new crayons are also donated to children in hospitals.

Patrons can visit the library, at 2279 Merrick Ave., throughout the month to donate. Go to MerrickLibrary.org for more.

“What’s so wonderful about the Great Give Back is that it showcases the remarkable support of the Merrick community,” Bonifiglio-Scali said. “It consistently resonates with our residents, and that can be seen in how much we collect each year. Despite busy lives and the daily grind, the people of Merrick steadily demonstrate their generosity by volunteering their time, gathering supplies, and personally delivering them to our library.”